Concretizing the Emerging Subverted Normative Portraiture in the Metaphor ‘Unbowed’

Abstract

Abstract Autobiographical discourses written by women globally in their perceptions indicate that women are struggling to dismantle patriarchal structures, seeking to deter them from mainstreaming gender. The paper looks at a subverted portrait from the normative gender identity in Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed, sampled purposively. Tenets of New Historicism and Gender theory are used in analysing data. Analytical research design with data collected through textual reading and analyzed by content, are used. Findings indicate that Wangari defines herself as ‘Unbowed’ to imply defiance and resilience. She seeks to be viewed differently from how the society has viewed women in the past. She narrates how she helps shape up and transforms Kenya’s government into a democracy in which she later serves. Wangari’s fearless strength in adversity, creative approach to building a peaceful, healthy planet; hard work inspiring and empowering women are accolades that culminate into her being crowned a Nobel Peace laureate. KEY WORDS: Portrait, Subversion, Unbowed, Normative, Gender, Identity